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AP Literature & AP Rhetoric Summit International Preparatory Mr. Sowers
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AP Literature & AP Rhetoric Summit International Preparatory Mr. Sowers
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AP Literature & AP Rhetoric Summit International Preparatory Mr. Sowers
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In pursuance of this resolve, he took up his residence in the Puritan town as Roger Chillingworth, without other introduction than the learning and intelligence of which he possessed more than a common measure. As his studies, at a previous period of his life, had made him extensively acquainted with the medical science of the day, it was as a physician that he presented himself and as such was cordially received. In his Indian captivity, moreover, he had gained much knowledge of the properties of native herbs and roots; nor did he conceal from his patients that these simple medicines, Nature’s boon to the untutored savage, had quite as large a share of his own confidence as the European Pharmacopoeia, which so many learned doctors had spent centuries in elaborating This learned stranger was exemplary as regarded at least the outward forms of a religious life; and early after his arrival, had chosen for his spiritual guide the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale.
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Then why—since the choice was with himself—should the individual, whose connexion with the fallen woman had been the most intimate and sacred of them all, come forward to vindicate his claim to an inheritance so little desirable? He resolved not to be pilloried beside her on her pedestal of shame. Unknown to all but Hester Prynne, and possessing the lock and key of her silence, he chose to withdraw his name from the roll of mankind, and, as regarded his former ties and interest, to vanish out of life as completely as if he indeed lay at the bottom of the ocean, whither rumour had long ago consigned him. Why would Roger not join his wife and bear the burden with the woman he married? Chapter
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In this manner, the mysterious old Roger Chillingworth became the medical adviser of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale. As not only the disease interested the physician, but he was strongly moved to look into the character and qualities of the patient, these two men, so different in age, came gradually to spend much time together Roger and Arthur spend time together: the young Priest and the medical advisor!
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To sum up the matter, it grew to be a widely diffused opinion that the Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale, like many other personages of special sanctity, in all ages of the Christian world, was haunted either by Satan himself or Satan’s emissary, in the guise of old Roger Chillingworth. This diabolical agent had the Divine permission, for a season, to burrow into the clergyman’s intimacy, and plot against his soul. No sensible man, it was confessed, could doubt on which side the victory would turn. The people looked, with an unshaken hope, to see the minister come forth out of the conflict transfigured with the glory which he would unquestionably win. Meanwhile, nevertheless, it was sad to think of the perchance mortal agony through which he must struggle towards his triumph.
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What actions does Dimmesdale take to punish himself? Why is Chillingworth called a “leech,” and why, at another point, does the narrator compare him to a miner? the fasts and vigils of which he made a frequent practice In this manner, the mysterious old Roger Chillingworth became the medical adviser of the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale. As not only the disease interested the physician, but he was strongly moved to look into the character and qualities of the patient, these two men, so different in age, came gradually to spend much time together. For the sake of the minister’s health, and to enable the leech to gather plants with healing balm in them,
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Why is Chillingworth called a “leech,” and why, at another point, does the narrator compare him to a miner? So Roger Chillingworth—the man of skill, the kind and friendly physician— strove to go deep into his patient’s bosom, delving among his principles, prying into his recollections, and probing everything with a cautious touch, like a treasure-seeker in a dark cavern. Few secrets can escape an investigator, who has opportunity and licence to undertake such a quest, and skill to follow it up. A man burdened with a secret should especially avoid the intimacy of his physician.
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What is the significance of Chillingworth’s examining Dimmesdale’s chest? What is the reaction of Dimmesdale’s parishioners to his sermons? He now dug into the poor clergyman’s heart, like a miner searching for gold; or, rather, like a sexton delving into a grave, possibly in quest of a jewel that had been buried on the dead man’s bosom, but likely to find nothing save mortality and corruption. Alas, for his own soul, if these were what he sought!
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Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was yet, we fear, a quiet depth of malice, hitherto latent, but active now, in this unfortunate old man, which led him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had ever wreaked upon an enemy. ROGER CHILLINGWORTH Notice how Hawthorne characterizes Chillingworth!
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What is the reaction of Dimmesdale’s parishioners to his sermons?
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They fancied him the mouth-piece of Heaven’s messages of wisdom, and rebuke, and love. In their eyes, the very ground on which he trod was sanctified. The virgins of his church grew pale around him, victims of a passion so imbued with religious sentiment, that they imagined it to be all religion, and brought it openly, in their white bosoms, as their most acceptable sacrifice before the altar. The aged members of his flock, beholding Mr. Dimmesdale’s frame so feeble, while they were themselves so rugged in their infirmity, believed that he would go heavenward before them, and enjoined it upon their children that their old bones should be buried close to their young pastor’s holy grave.
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For what reasons are the major characters at the scaffold during the night? Why does Dimmesdale cry out while on the scaffold? Governor Winthrop was on his death bed and died the might the characters were at the scaffold: Hester and Pearl are on their way home from the Governor’s because Hester was getting his measurements to make him a robe Roger Chillingworth was at the Governor’s as a doctor Dimmesdale is at the scaffold to put himself in the same place a hester; he crie out in Guiltful pain just prior to the others coming his way Minister Mr. Wilson is on his way home after praying at the Governor’s
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The meteor is seen in chapter 12
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Roger sees the A = Adultery = Sin
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‘But did your reverence hear of the portent that was seen last night? a great red letter in the sky—the letter A, which we interpret to stand for Angel. For, as our good Governor Winthrop was made an angel this past night, it was doubtless held fit that there should be some notice thereof!’ ‘No,’ answered the minister; ‘I had not heard of it.’
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1. What are the effects of the letter on Hester Prynne over this seven year interval? 2. What crime has Hester committed which, if known to the Puritans, would have resulted in her death? 3. What value does Hester place upon her life? 4. What does Hester see as necessary before women would be treated equally in society? 5. What is the meaning of the line, “the scarlet letter had not done its office”? 6. Why does Hester feel responsible for Dimmesdale’s physical condition? 7. What favors does Chillingworth feel he has done for Dimmesdale? 8. Why is Chillingworth even more vengeful towards Dimmesdale? 9. When is Hester untrue to the scarlet letter? 10. What is the current relationship between Hester and Pearl?
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What crime has Hester committed which, if known to the Puritans, would have resulted in her death? Thus Hester Prynne, whose heart had lost its regular and healthy throb, wandered without a clue in the dark labyrinth of mind; now turned aside by an insurmountable precipice; now starting back from a deep chasm. There was wild and ghastly scenery all around her, and a home and comfort nowhere. At times a fearful doubt strove to possess her soul, whether it were not better to send Pearl at once to Heaven, and go herself to such futurity as Eternal Justice should provide. She daydreams and has doubt in her heart; by doubting God, daydreaming, and readying herself to leave could have dire consequences in this very rigid Puritan community.
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What does Hester see as necessary before women would be treated equally in society? As a first step, the whole system of society is to be torn down and built up anew. Then the very nature of the opposite sex, or its long hereditary habit, which has become like nature, is to be essentially modified before woman can be allowed to assume what seems a fair and suitable position. She believes a patriarchal society will only allow women to take part if the society as a whole is begun anew. Feminist love her vision to bring women to a increased level of involvement on society.
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The scarlet letter had not done its office. She determined to redeem her error so far as it might yet be possible. Strengthened by years of hard and solemn trial, she felt herself no longer so inadequate to cope with Roger Chillingworth as on that night, abased by sin and half–maddened by the ignominy that was still new, when they had talked together in the prison–chamber. She had climbed her way since then to a higher point. The old man, on the other hand, had brought himself nearer to her level, or, perhaps, below it, by the revenge which he had stooped for. She would not die in shame … she climbed to a higher point than ever before.
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Aha! And is it Mistress Hester that has a word for old Roger Chillingworth?” answered he, raising himself from his stooping posture. “With all my heart! Why, mistress, I hear good tidings of you on all hands! No longer ago than yester–eve, a magistrate, a wise and godly man, was discoursing of your affairs, Mistress Hester, and whispered me that there had been question concerning you in the council. It was debated whether or no, with safety to the commonweal, yonder scarlet letter might be taken off your bosom. On my life, Hester, I made my intreaty to the worshipful magistrate that it might be done forthwith.” “It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off the badge,” calmly replied Hester. “Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport.” Roger Chilling worth says the men have discussed allowing her to take the letter off!
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Why does Hester feel responsible for Dimmesdale’s physical condition? Hester feels guilty for allowing Chillingworth to about the community as an unknown … she should not have kept his identity quiet since his vengeance has all but ruined Dimmesdale. I was betraying it in pledging myself to keep your counsel. Since that day no man is so near to him as you. You tread behind his every footstep. You are beside him, sleeping and waking. You search his thoughts. You burrow and rankle in his heart! Your clutch is on his life, and you cause him to die daily a living death, and still he knows you not. In permitting this I have surely acted a false part by the only man to whom the power was left me to be true!”
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What favors does Chillingworth feel he has done for Dimmesdale? He saved Dimmesdale’s life? “My finger, pointed at this man, would have hurled him from his pulpit into a dungeon— thence, peradventure, to the gallows!”
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As time passes, the meaning of the letter changes and Hester becomes a different person. She is no longer the passionate woman who loved Dimmesdale; she is helpful to the people of the town; Chillingworth even tells her they are thinking of taking the Scarlet A away. When is Hester untrue to the scarlet letter? untrue = not reflective of
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“Mother,” said she, “what does the scarlet letter mean?” And the next morning, the first indication the child gave of being awake was by popping up her head from the pillow, and making that other enquiry, which she had so unaccountably connected with her investigations about the scarlet letter— “Mother!—Mother!—Why does the minister keep his hand over his heart?” “Hold thy tongue, naughty child!” answered her mother, with an asperity that she had never permitted to herself before. “Do not tease me; else I shall put thee into the dark closet!”
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“Be it sin or no,” said Hester Prynne, bitterly, as still she gazed after him, “I hate the man! “Yes, I hate him!” repeated Hester more bitterly than before. “He betrayed me! He has done me worse wrong than I did him!”
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